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Chapter Seventy-four
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Saturday Excursions
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When the telephone awakened Nathan early Saturday morning, he was immediately concerned as to who would be calling so early.
His voice groggy, Nathan quietly answered, "Hello?" He hoped he wouldn't awaken Allie.
"Did I wake you up, Son?" Bill was laughing. "I forget you are living the life of leisure on weekends. Sorry."
"Good morning, Bill. I hardly call half-past seven on Saturday morning leisurely!" In his concern and half-asleep state, Nathan showed little tact, instead speaking directly. "Is everything okay? Why are you calling?"
"To the point, Nathan, everything is not okay. I was up late preparing more paperwork and Lee, Rosemary and I are leaving within the hour for Union City. I'm buying an automobile!" Bill let that news sink in.
"What? You finally decided to join the rest of the modern world, Bill?" Nathan chuckled remembering Bill's comments when Nathan had considered a vehicle. "What will happen to Hero now?"
"Ahem. I guess I deserved that." Bill chuckled. "I have you to blame you know. You were the trailblazer and I realized just how helpful a vehicle can be when I was with you in Regina. I guess there is no going back."
"Guess not. Well congratulations, Bill!" Nathan wiped the corner of his eyes. "So is this why you woke me this morning? To tell me about your car?"
Chuckling briefly, Bill explained as he became serious. "No, that's just to explain the early hour. A visitor arrived in Hope Valley yesterday and she has thrown a wrench into things. I had to discuss the situation with, William, Paul and Lee, then draw up orders of protection to take to get notarized and filed in Union City before I confront her."
Nathan was alert now. "Her? Who?"
"Helen Bouchard. Arrived on the stage yesterday and somehow managed to finagle a room at the Inn even though they are not officially open until next week."
"What does she want? Are things in her name or…?"
"I haven't approached her yet. My guess is to try to influence Elizabeth to keep the book deal and make more or to get her to override the orders and go back with her son. So, with me being out of town today with the Coulters, William decided that he and Grace, Elizabeth, Jack and their butler will be taking an excursion to Union City along with us. They may even stay over the weekend to avoid Bouchard's mother. I have plans to meet the Superintendent this morning to file the papers, then Paul and I will deliver them later today or tomorrow morning. With Elizabeth and the family out of town, we have time to find out Helen's intentions, serve the papers and, hopefully escort her out of Hope Valley."
"Could you contact the Regina Precinct as well as inform Peter, so they are aware? This news should not get to Bouchard though. Let him stew, wondering what is going on. I have a feeling he called in his mommy as reinforcements." The distaste in Bill's voice was noticeable.
"I can do that. So, you want to call me when the papers are served, please?" Requested Nathan. "That's when it's official."
"I can do that. Just don't be surprised if it is not until Monday morning?" Bill added. "Uh, Nathan? William has included you and Allie in these as well."
"I guess I am not surprised. William seems to consider us family already." Not unhappy about the inclusion, Nathan smiled. "Well, thanks for the notice. Godspeed as you travel. Is the Thatcher car traveling with you?"
"Yes, Not sure of the seating arrangements, but Elizabeth and Rosemary may want to come in the car with Lee and me. We'll see. William and Grace are always fine with Jack."
"Well, I will be praying for all of you." Nathan paused thinking of whether to address this question. "Ah… Did William deliver our letters to Elizabeth?"
"He did. My understanding is that Elizabeth met with Joseph and Doctor Ben yesterday morning. I see determination in Elizabeth's eyes again, Nathan. My assessment is that she is not giving up. I admonished her to keep praying and to correspond. Well, I've got to go. I'll be in touch and thanks for your prayers, Son."
"Always." Placing the receiver on the hook, Nathan put his head in his hands and began to pray.
By half-past eight, two vehicles were on the road to Union City with excited passengers enjoying each other's company. As Bill had expected, Elizabeth joined the Coulters and him in the front car, while Hudson drove the Thatcher's and Jack in the second automobile. In a moving vehicle, Jack was easy to entertain and, as on their previous trip, he spent most of his time watching Hudson drive and peppering him with questions about how things worked.
Once in the city, the Thatcher's headed to the Queen's Hotel to leave their belongings in their room, then wait for the Coulter's vehicle. Having purchased his automobile, Bill followed them to let everyone see his new acquisition. After many ohhs and ahhs and congratulations, Bill said goodbye and headed to the RCMP Branch Office and then home, hoping to return by late afternoon.
Upon arrival in Superintendent O'Reilly's office, Bill was ushered in and asked to wait as his colleague was on his way. After requesting a cup of black coffee, Bill spread out the papers he brought on the desk before him, double-checking the orders.
"My apologies, Bill. I was delayed by a telephone call from Commissioner Collins." Robert O'Reilly shook Bill's hand and motioned for him to take his seat again. Glancing at the papers on his desk, he continued. "We have more work to do than these, Bill. In a routine call to the Regina prison, Peter learned that a Lucas Bouchard had been visited frequently by a woman named Janette Boudreaux. She speaks flawless French and when visiting Bouchard they've spoken French, unaware that two of the guards are also fluent. The guards reported that Bouchard and Boudreaux have discussed that a Helen Bouchard would be picking up a crate addressed to L.H. Bouchard that she would accept and then collect the U.S. cash hidden below a false bottom."
Superintendent O'Reilly consulted his hastily scribbled notes, then continued. "Peter immediately called to reach you this morning, but getting the Hope Valley Constable, was told you were on your way to see me. Peter instructed your Constable to be on the lookout for Helen Bouchard and for the crate and have it held in the Mercantile until you return. The owner of the Mercantile informed your Constable the crate arrived yesterday and he was planning to hold it as he knew Lucas had left town. He was not aware that Helen Bouchard was in town, but promised to hold it until we instruct him otherwise."
"In addition, there are warrants out from San Francisco to arrest all three parties. Evidently the cash is evidence in a theft of a Brink's armored-vehicle last year. The cash has been funneled in batches, but is marked so we can identify. Peter recommended that we prepare the arrest warrants for Helen Bouchard. The Regina Precinct has arrested Janette Boudreaux and is handling the papers on file there and they are in touch with U.S. Marshals who will come and collect each fugitive as well as the evidence."
Bill sat back and whistled. "Well! I guess the Commissioner of the RCMP has the clout to get the information and to arrange the extradition! When we ran background checks on Bouchard, we never heard back from the U.S. authorities, so could only watch Bouchard while remaining ignorant. I guess I am glad that Bouchard violated the orders of protection and Nathan nabbed him!"
Bill paused, thinking. "Not sure I get the reason Bouchard was after Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton, but it could be personal, or she asked too many questions or William Thatcher stirred up suspicion with his private investigation. In truth, if I never know I'll be fine with that as long as he and now his mother and cohort are in custody." Bill laughed scornfully. "And my lack of interest is a tell-tale sign of my contempt for that man, in spite of my history as a forensic investigator! If my loved ones are safe, I could care less about the details regarding Bouchard!"
The Superintendent looked at Bill for a few moments, thinking. "How did you get here this morning?"
"By automobile. As a matter of fact I just picked up my first vehicle!" Bill shook his head. "Never thought I would see the day, but… times are changing."
Something about the look that flashed across Bill's face, made Robert O'Reilly ask, "So what is her name, Bill?"
A reddening face and wide-eyed glance told the Superintendent he had hit a nerve. Flustered, Bill just said, "Adeli."
"Ah ha. Reforming an old bachelor takes a strong woman, so all the best, Bill. Now, back to the business at hand. May I send two Constables back with you? They can assist with taking Helen Bouchard into custody once she signs for the crate and has it in her hands. They can remain until the Marshals arrive. Okay with you?"
"Sure. Always good to have help when we don't want to make any mistakes, plus watching the cell overnight with a female prisoner has its challenges. How soon can they be ready to go?" Bill inquired.
"They are on standby, so as soon as we finish the paperwork. We no longer need the orders, we just need the warrants. We'll complete them for all three although only need the one for Helen Bouchard. Still want them to travel with her."
"Let's get to it. Once we finish, may I use your telephone to inform Constable Paul of the plan and maybe even call Nathan? He probably doesn't know about Helen."
The Coulters, Thatchers and Thorntons enjoyed lunch at the Hotel in Union City, then shopped in preparation for Patrick's expected arrival, while adding to their Christmas purchases to include Patrick in the upcoming celebrations.
On the spur of the moment, Nathan had suggested to Allie that they call Adeli and see if she could meet them for lunch at the Victoria Café. She was thrilled to join them at half-past noon. Having collected most of the items on their list, Nathan and Allie were grateful for the automobile so they could take their purchases home after they met Adeli.
"We have been so busy, I don't know where to start!" Allie exclaimed after hugs and deciding their lunch choices. "My grandparents came to meet Uncle Zach! Oh, do you like my new coat?"
"I did notice you looked quite stylish when I came in!" Adeli smiled encouragingly. "Lovely, Allie!"
"Thank you. Oh, and Mr. Thatcher took us to two different restaurants so this is my third restaurant in Regina! This is nice, Dad." Allie barely took a breath before continuing. "Dad came here last week with my music teacher and…" The waitress arrived with their soups and a basket of freshly baked breads.
Adeli gave Nathan a questioning glance, but Nathan only nodded 'No.'
In between spoonsful of soup, Allie continued her recounting. "Did you know about Dad leading the funeral exercises at Depot? They were probably right outside your window! Do you have windows in your office? I hope so. I would hate to work in a room without windows…"
Adeli and Nathan didn't even try to keep up! It wasn't until the soup bowls and bread basket were empty that Allie had finished her tale.
"So, tell us Adeli?" Nathan inquired as they awaited the arrival of their sandwich order. "What is new in your life since we last saw you?"
Reporting on letters and calls with Bill, Adeli didn't have a lot more to share from the past few weeks. "I have made definite plans to visit my family in Saskatoon over Christmas though. It is too early to bring Bill to meet everyone, but I felt I needed to keep my promise to visit them. Bill and I are still uncertain when he'll return to Hope Valley, so I'm not sure when I will return to Regina."Adeli explained. "Other than Bill visiting, what are your plans?"
Nathan explained about Allie's chorus concert, then the Advent services and the solo and duet for the Christmas Eve service. "Our tradition is a nice meal on Christmas Eve, the service then placing the gifts under our tree. We open gifts on Christmas morning in our family. Stockings before breakfast and gifts are opened afterwards. Then we make calls to family and begin getting dinner together for a late afternoon celebration. We play music and read and generally have a quiet Christmas! I don't know how it will work for us with Bill here and with Peter and Carol." Nathan chuckled. "To be decided!"
"Nathan?" Adeli lifted a thick envelope from her tote and, handing it to Nathan explained, "Here are the photographs you wanted. I think you still have time to get them framed and posted for Christmas. I'm sorry they sat on my desk at home and I just remembered them when you called this morning."
"Oh! I forgot about them too, but no problem because Allie and I were just planning our gifts this morning. We'll have time to send them now. Thanks so much." Reaching for his billfold Nathan asked, "Do I owe you more than I gave you in advance?"
"After my late delivery I wouldn't have the heart to bill you, Nathan." Adeli laughed. "I really don't think there was a balance anyway! Maybe I owe you? I'll have to look."
"As long as you had enough, Adeli, call it an even deal! Thank you so much." Nathan set out the correct amount for their lunch and they departed, sharing more hugs.
After Nathan and Allie unloaded their groceries and gift purchases, they began to unpack and find places for all the food in their small kitchen. The ringing telephone interrupted their activity.
"Good afternoon. Grant residence. Nathan speaking."
"Nathan? Peter here. Can you come up to the house for a few minutes? I have some Mountie business to tell you about as there have been some developments."
"Oh? We need to finish putting away the groceries, then Allie can grab her art supplies and I'll bring my sketches and ideas for the house, okay? Give us a half-hour?"
"Sure, Nathan. See you then."
While Allie worked on a crocheting project with Gramma Carol, Peter brought Nathan to the back bedroom to inform him of the latest developments with the Bouchards.
"There is one unanswered question, Peter. Who sent the package to Bouchard? Is there a fourth party involved? Because until we know who that person is, this is still an open investigation." Nathan observed with a sigh. "Much as I wish it was over."
"Oh, Nathan! You are good, but it's over. The Boudreaux woman has sent the money. She's based in San Francisco but has traveled frequently to Canada in recent years. The U.S. authorities have evidence from a house she owns in the city, plus Bouchard used some of the crates to pack his books and they've been confiscated from his flat in Vancouver. Did you know that you can hide cash folded lengthwise in the spine of a book?"
"No. That's a new one!"
"Now we know where to look, eh? The Vancouver authorities have recovered quite the sum!" Peter chuckled. "I'm just glad it's out of our hands, once the fugitives leave Canada and the evidence along with them!" Peter motioned to the papers in Nathan's hands. "So what do you have for me there?"
"A few sketches of ideas. Shall we talk here or walk into the hallway so I can show you?"
Having toured the bedrooms and listened to the options that Nathan suggested, Peter called for Carol to meet them in the dining room. "Here are my top two, Carol. What do you think?"
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